Health Clubs

News about Health Clubs, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Feb. 8, 2015

Debriefing column; profile of Jay Wright, whose Wright Fit company has created fitness centers at several high-end New York City buildings in collaboration with luxury condo developers. MORE

Jan. 11, 2015

The Upshot; many economists have attempted to come up with ways to encourage people to exercise, although many of these ideas run up against reality that many gyms want their members to pay not to exercise. MORE

Jan. 8, 2015

Front row placement in fitness classes at popular gyms has come to represent status symbol among competitive, type-A people. MORE

Jul. 27, 2014

The $110 million deal is for the remaining gyms owned by Millennium Partners, and it expands Equinox’s empire to 73 locations worldwide. MORE

Jun. 19, 2014

Gyms specializing in training for obstacle course races and mud runs, such as Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, are opening all over country in response to increased demand. MORE

May. 8, 2014

GoodLife Fitness, Canada's largest chain of health clubs, opened in October 2013 what is believed to be the only in-terminal airport gym in North America, in Toronto Pearson International Airport; while travelers, particularly business travelers, are able to fit in a work out while on layovers, gym has fewer patrons that are not airport or airline employees than expected. MORE

Apr. 17, 2014

Gyms and fitness trainers are increasingly using activity trackers like Fitbit and Jawbone's Up24 to monitor their clients' activity, or lack thereof, between training sessions. MORE

Dec. 26, 2013

Advertising column; Equinox is trying to increase membership with a campaign that goes beyond weight loss and getting in shape; campaign suggests that people in optimal shape have the unbridled confidence and lowered inhibitions to lead to being naughty. MORE

Sep. 13, 2013

Urban Athlete column notes New York Access PassBook provides 600 passes to more than 165 health and fitness clubs in city's five boroughs. MORE

Aug. 9, 2013

Parkour, daring acrobatic pastime born in streets of France, has become a big business in United States, with parkour gyms--featuring juice bars, private classes and children's birthday parties--opening up from California to New York; gym owners say they are broadening the activity's appeal, and making it safer in the process, but hard-core enthusiasts worry that parkour's renegade soul is at risk. MORE

Jul. 3, 2013

Cycling studios and boot camp gyms are growing in popularity; as more people forgo gym memberships in lieu of specialized fitness experiences, chains are expanding and hiring staff they need, increasing room for training and marketing. MORE

Apr. 21, 2013

Sandbags, ropes and climbing areas are taking over floor space at some gyms across the country as part of functional fitness training; technique encourages people to push, pull, squat and generally move their bodies as they might naturally rather than using hi-tech equipment. MORE

Mar. 17, 2013

Neighborhood Joint column on South Brooklyn Weightlifting Club in Gowanus, Brooklyn, where workouts focus on powerlifting and Olympic weight lifting. MORE

Feb. 16, 2013

New York City's parks department is trying to remedy 45 percent drop in paid memberships at its public recreation centers since fees were doubled in 2011; officials say they will offer new lower-priced membership categories for members aged 18 to 24, among other measures aimed at restoring membership levels. MORE

Feb. 10, 2013

Several boutique gym chains have begun to sell non-workout accessories like scarves, candles and nail polish to their customers in effort to build up sales and market their brand more publicly. MORE

Jan. 3, 2013

Advertising column; campaign for Planet Fitness, national chain of fitness clubs, pokes fun at gym fanatics and promises an anxiety-free haven for regular people. MORE

Aug. 30, 2012

Bianca Kosoy, the executive creative director at Equinox, is responsible for the overall look of the upscale fitness empire, which has over 55 high-rent locations nationwide; in October, Equinox is opening clubs in London and Toronto. MORE

Mar. 29, 2012

Exercising in overheated rooms, some as hot as a typical steam room is attracting a small but growing upscale clientele, especially in New York and Los Angeles gyms; facilities are luring fans of the approach in, offering an array of ever hotter, ever harder classes. MORE

Mar. 8, 2012

Many gyms now offer evening dance party workouts for clients who don't want to give up a happy hour to fit in exercise. MORE

Mar. 4, 2012

Many of the business world’s titans of business and finance stay in shape at Sitaras Fitness, a Midtown Manhattan gym that is the brainchild of bodybuilder John Sitaras; he and his software track the progress of gym's 140-plus members; his proprietary personal training program separates his center from other high-end clubs. MORE

Jan. 1, 2012

Kelly Feeney reviews restaurants located at several health clubs in New Jersey. MORE

Dec. 18, 2011

Many health-conscious professionals seeking a wholesome way to bond with clients and colleagues have begun to combine networking and working out, in trend known as 'sweatworking'. MORE

Dec. 8, 2011

Many fitness clubs and gyms find it challenging to enforce bans on cell phones, since people often use their phones to entertain themselves and track their progress during workouts. MORE

Nov. 10, 2011

Several gyms around New York City offer boot camps, military-style high impact fitness classes featuring basic calisthenics, which appeal to consumers seeking a speedy way to get in shape. MORE

Nov. 10, 2011

Suggestions for alternative fitness offerings around New York City, including stretching and short classes, for those who do not find boot camp workouts appealing. MORE

Nov. 1, 2011

Some hotels are pairing up with brand-name gyms like Core Performance, Exhale and SoulCycle as a way to distinguish themselves. MORE

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